Following on from Dearne’s 52-0 away win against Sheffield Medics 2nd XV, the team travel to Sheffield RUFC this weekend to take on their 3rd team in the South Yorkshire Merit League.

Ahead of the game, Head Coach Callum Emery spoke of his excitement of the upcoming fixture. “We were obviously happy with last weeks result, but still came off the field frustrated at what seems to be a common theme of slipping away from our game plan in the middle third of the game.” He continued, “we reviewed the game in detail with the lads at training last night and the training session that followed was superb, I’m particularly excited to see how the new lads go at the weekend as the talent depth in this side continues to build.”

Changes in the front row as Alex Mincher starts alongside captain Archie Adams and first choice tight head Jonny Horrobin. In the second row John Williams retains his starting place but is joined by new recruit Oluwatomiwa Akintokun, making his first start following his strong performance off the bench last week. Todd Bailey returns at blindside flanker and is joined in the back row by familiar faces Charlie Higgins and Luke Christmas.

The usually consistent backline has had a reshuffle this week. Fly half Stephen Shaw, winger Luke Robinson and full back Sam Oxley are unavailable, therefore this creates opportunities for others to put down a marker. Ash Horrobin remains at scrum half and is joined by Rob Bowling at fly half. Vice captain Andrew Thorpe is joined in the centres by familiar partner Ben Hartley whilst Sam Holt will be hoping to build on his try scoring run on the left wing. On the right wing Will Hudson, following on from a strong performance off the bench last week, is starting in the 14 shirt. Jack Duggan makes his debut for Dearne at fullback following strong performances in training.

We also have some new faces in the finishers this week. Exciting scrum half Clayton Taylor joins Darren Williams and Kynan Benson to make up the backline finishers. Whilst regular faces Craig Collins, Ben Myers, Joe Patterson, Ross Whale, Carl Levitt and Callum Young make up the forwards finishers. All with a role to play from the bench at periods throughout the game.

Starters
1. Alex Mincher
2. Archie Adams (C)
3. Jonny Horrobin
4. John Williams
5. Oluwatomiwa Akintokun
6. Todd Bailey
7. Charlie Higgins
8. Luke Christmas
9. Ash Horrobin
10. Rob Bowling
11. Sam Holt
12. Andrew Thorpe (VC)
13. Ben Hartley
14. Will Hudson
15. Jack Duggan

Finishers
16. Ben Myers
17. Craig Collins
18. Callum Young
19. Joe Patterson
20. Carl Levitt
21. Ross Whale
22. Clayton Taylor
23. Darren Williams
24. Kynan Benson

14:00 KO